Permitted weights for trucks on Saudi roads

The issue of permissible and specific weights for commercial and non-commercial trucks traveling on Saudi transport lines is one of the most prominent issues that have always concerned the regulatory authorities, due to its great importance and its direct impact on the safety and security of the highway network, and the quality of infrastructure that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is still actively seeking to develop more and better than anywhere in the world in order to contribute to ensuring the safety of road users, as well as significant economic impacts on national and local economic movement. Large trucks are the backbone of transportation Commercial and logistics in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and throughout the world, as the private sector and the public sector rely entirely on it for the movement of goods and basic materials between the Kingdom and its neighbors, as well as commercial traffic between the cities of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which are linked to each other through paved asphalt roads. They are equipped for such business tasks that develop the national economy and protect citizens from being cut off from the market for basic living materials.

After the massive urban expansion witnessed by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the past few years, it was necessary to understand the urgent need to develop the infrastructure of highway networks. This was done through strong and solid foundations and the use of high-quality materials. However, poor and uncontrolled use or excessive loading of trucks outside the carrying limits of asphalt roads directly lead to the erosion of asphalt and the materials used in paving the road, as well as the emergence of cracks, potholes and tilt due to high weights and high temperatures. That is why the competent bodies have set laws and limits on the load and speed of trucks Commercial and public transport buses in order to avoid repeated maintenance of roads and to avoid terrible accidents due to loss of control over a heavy truck that is loaded too much. On the other hand, damage to the road itself may cause other accidents that are greater and worse than the previous ones. For these various reasons, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has developed rules and regulations belonging to an integrated and accurate system of regulations and regulations that control the permissible weights and dimensions of trucks in terms of full size. It has imposed severe penalties on those who violate these regulations with the sole aim of maintaining road security and the safety of citizens from accidents and embarrassing situations.

The regulations and laws that determine the maximum load, truck weights and dimensions on the road are the result of the urban and population development witnessed by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Developments in road transport systems in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

The urgent need to develop the public road network linking cities and villages has started since the establishment of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. With the development of road networks and the commercial and public road transport sector, advanced and modern highway networks have been built on high-quality and efficient international foundations and regulations to facilitate transportation. These updates and developments have served economic, social and cultural aspects in the areas that link them. With this significant expansion and rapid development, there is an urgent need to establish renewed regulations and controls to keep pace with the significant increase in the number of trucks and the diversity of their different loads.

These systems and controls are derived from practical standards and advanced engineering studies that ensure a balanced distribution of loads on the different axles in trucks, so that the large load does not damage the asphalt layers, which are naturally flexible and extensible, providing protection for infrastructure and highway surfaces, while the instructions were more accurate with regard to connecting bridges and vital infrastructure roads that require certain speeds and certain heights that must be adhered to. The regulations and controls were carefully reviewed to keep pace with changing events and developments, as well as competent bodies and bodies that review global developments The local area deals with it in a different organizational manner. The most optimal is the organized routes for pilgrims and the provision of transport buses, metro and various logistical means, which have had a significant impact on the success of sponsoring the largest Hajj ceremony. These efforts made for the sake of Allah Almighty are only steps taken by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and carried it upon itself and were the best example of organization, commitment and sacrifice.

The General Authority for Roads has stressed on more than one occasion that compliance with the statutory weights of trucks is not just a precautionary regulatory measure. It is a strategic necessity to maintain one of the most important national assets, which are commercial links and the public road network, which are among the most important investments through which the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia aims to achieve advanced positions in the world in quality and safety indicators, while these regulations also provide high protection for the huge investments made in infrastructure projects and ensure their sustainability for future generations with the required quality.

The continuous developments over time are only a series of government efforts to serve the citizens of this ancient Kingdom, which has built a high level of success that guarantees excellence for future generations

The relation of the number of axes to the maximum permissible weights

The process of regulating the permissible weights of trucks begins according to the number of axles allocated to the truck. Two-axle trucks are allowed a maximum load of 21 tons, while the permissible load increases gradually with the increase in the number of axles. Three-axle trucks reach 34 tons, continue to 42 tons for four axles, and 45 tons for five-axle trucks. This gradation is based on detailed studies conducted by the competent bodies, depending on the weight allocated to each axle and the ability of the road to deal with these weights in a custom manner. This is of course a simple physical result. As the weight-bearing area increases, the pressure is placed on Asphalt is less. Trucks with many axles have less pressure on asphalt. However, regulations in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have set the maximum weights on each axle separately. The weight may not exceed 8 tons on a single axle, 10 tons on a double axle, 13 tons on a single axle and 6.5 tons at the end of any unguided axle.

These engineering challenges are taken into account by distributing the forces affecting the road and reducing the possibility of structural damage in pavement layers or equipped bridges. Regular adherence to these weights effectively contributes to extending the life of the local road network and reducing the costs of regular maintenance of these roads, which means that roads will be more active in their commercial traffic and able to continue working without much downtime. Stopping for maintenance means a partial interruption of commercial traffic, which means stopping economic movement and slowing down important logistics operations. Therefore, public weighing stations on main roads are considered Stations for the periodic inspection of trucks, where it is ensured that the cargo meets the statutory weights stipulated in the Saudi regulations, as well as recording any violations or violations electronically immediately.

The General Authority for Roads has stressed the importance of complying with the permissible weights. Moreover, violators of these regulations and regulations are fined 100,000 Saudi Riyals. This severe penalty aims to reduce violations that harm the infrastructure of the transport network throughout the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. These regulations are in accordance with Saudi Arabia's efforts to achieve security on highways and provide means to speed up logistics transport operations within the territory of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia imposes a fine of 100,000 riyals on anyone who exceeds the permissible weights of trucks (trailers) traveling inside Saudi territory

The importance of distributing the load to the axles equally

Things do not stop when the total weights are legally determined. They go beyond regulating the distribution of weights and loads equally to all axes in order to provide a full distribution of load on the road in a way that does not make the axles under excessively high pressure. The regulations state that exceeding the allowed weight on any of the axes is subject to a fine in the event of a regular weight increase of 200 kg and the fine is up to 2000 SAR for each violating axle. These regulatory procedures directly aim to make roads safer, because an incorrect balance leads to a significant overload on the tire axles, which It makes it faster to consume than usual and increases the wear of the asphalt road, which means a high increase in accidents,

Due to the unbalanced distribution of the truck, which is focused on a specific axis and not others, it leads to pressure on some parts of the road and not others, causing cracks and dents in the asphalt, leading to a certain partial collapse or sudden drop in the road surface, especially in areas through which trucks pass heavily and continuously. Excess load on truck axles negatively affects the overall performance of the truck on the road, causing a general delay in the transportation of goods, which requires high efficiency and continuity in work without stopping that disrupts the logistics required by the truck and its driver, while continuing Excessive loads and pressure on the truck for long periods are the result of severe tire wear and serious faults in the suspension system. Because the truck's parts are interconnected in general, faults in part mean a series of serious problems and faults that increase maintenance costs in an exaggerated manner.

Recent engineering studies also confirm that a balanced distribution of cargo between axles effectively contributes to improving the stability of the truck while driving on the road, significantly reducing the risk of overturning or damage to the loaded goods during strong turns, extreme maneuvers or driving on slopes and difficult and winding environments. For this reason, accurate weighing operations are performed for each axle at working and private weighing stations, which reaffirms the importance of arranging the cargo inside the truck according to the pre-equipped technical instructions that are carried out by the truck driver or the loading officials in some cases.

The legal size and dimensions of commercial trucks

With regard to the regular dimensions of heavy and medium trucks, the General Authority for Roads has set the maximum length of a truck, which should not exceed 23 meters, and the width should not exceed 2.6 meters, while the maximum height is 4.8 meters, with a fine of 1,000 Riyals imposed on anyone who exceeds these dimensions and standards. The main goal of setting these standards and specific dimensions is to provide a high ceiling in order to ensure safety and security on the public highway network, in addition to ensuring traffic safety in tunnels and bridges and facilitating traffic at intersections and maneuvers on commercial highways or roads within cities The regulation also included preventing trucks with large dimensions from sharing the road with small vehicles in order to avoid accidents or harassment during the driving process. Exceeding legal dimensions makes you in a dangerous situation as many bridges have low heights, which means a high probability of collision, exposure to low traffic lights, electrical air wires, or other matters related to the infrastructure of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. These dimensions also take into account safety requirements for loading or unloading goods, as they provide a sufficient distance for the movement of workers inside the truck and unloading it or Packaged normally, without exposing workers or equipment to the risk of injury or goods falling on them.

On the other hand, dimensions are measured using modern techniques and devices dedicated to measuring length, width and height, making it easier to register violations electronically and immediately. This is in accordance with strict road control and strict care to ensure road safety. These dimensions are imposed on drivers in all cases, even in the case of transporting exceptional loads. A request must be made for special permits in exceptional cases with additional means of protection such as warning signs or security escorts when necessary. The General Authority for Roads asserts that adherence to regular dimensions directly contributes to improving traffic flow Traffic on commercial roads in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia significantly reduces the level of danger on highways, with a significant reduction in the number of accidents resulting from collisions or friction between large vehicles and small vehicles.

The size and dimensions of trucks are not just a useless formal part. It is a crucial element and one of the causes of increased accidents and collisions. Regulating sizes and dimensions means that we are coming to a safer and more stable highway network

The system of fines and financial penalties for violators

The regulatory authorities have worked to establish a system of fines in an upward manner according to the amount of excess weight. This procedure has realistic objectives, the most important of which are to deter violators and ensure compliance with the regulations stipulated in the regulations. Thus, fines started from 200 SAR for every 100 kg of excess weight on the maximum truck load, in the event of an overtaking between 200 and 2000 kg. Fines are gradually increased according to the regulations available on the official websites of the concerned authorities, which are very important for all drivers and logistics fleet owners to review and circulate them to all employees in the sector. Fines have also been added to Exceeding weight testing stations or dimensional and size inspection sites is a violation that incurs a fine of 5,000 Saudi Riyals. Fines are generally doubled in the event of repeated acts, with a ceiling not exceeding 100,000 Riyals. Fines are strictly applied to all trucks within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, whether local or foreign. The concerned authorities require drivers to pay violations before allowing them to enter Saudi Arabia or continue traveling on highways. The competent authorities and concerned bodies confirm that these fines are not aimed at collecting but are aimed at deterring violators and protecting the Saudi road network, with Ensuring the safety of highway users and providing a safe space to deal with traffic situations and accidents. On the other hand, damage caused by accidents that cause damage to infrastructure is borne by the cost of its maintenance in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Therefore, efforts have been made to reduce maintenance costs and enhance the safety of public road users.

Procedures to prevent violating trucks from traveling on the road

The concerned authorities have worked to regulate regulations in order to significantly prevent trucks that significantly exceed the permissible weight from continuing to travel on the road network in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The regulations have stipulated that a truck is prohibited from traveling if it exceeds the allowed weight by 2500 kg in general or the weight of one axle exceeds its specified weight of 500 kg, without prejudice to the fine imposed on the violator, meaning that the fine is imposed on him in any case, but excessive weights must be prevented from traveling because of their extreme danger, while violating weights below this limit can travel with conditions and speed restrictions As we started, the violating truck is detained at the weight and dimensions measurement station until the cargo is evenly redistributed or the excess weight is reduced from the maximum allowed on Saudi roads. These procedures are implemented by the special control bodies that are responsible for protecting and regulating the road network. They are subject to strict supervision by the inspection teams of the General Authority for Roads. All violations are electronically documented and driver and truck data are recorded in the central system.

Drivers are required to pay fines related to weights and dimensions before being allowed to enter the territory of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This reflects the great seriousness with which the competent authorities are working to apply the rules and regulations to all incoming and outgoing trucks without exception, and equally to foreign drivers and Saudi drivers.

Awareness, education and responsibility sharing

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has worked hard to develop awareness and educational spaces for drivers, logistics fleet owners and those interested in the field. Darbek Tire Company has been a shining star in this field, making us work harder to raise awareness and spread the culture that transport and truck workers need, in addition to making significant contributions to providing the best types of tires for the environment in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Darbek has continuously selected designs suitable for different environments and different terrains, while enhancing the high temperature resistance enjoyed by the Gulf regions and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia is a great danger to trucks and tires because it is a major cause of tire explosion and rapid tire consumption. Derbek continues its relentless efforts and great aspirations to be supportive and a specific hand in achieving Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 and in support of the goals of His Majesty King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and His Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

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